Museum announces 2017 'Steaming Dates'

Jack Marshall, Reporter

The Bancroft Mill Engine Trust steam museum in Barnoldswick has announced a raft of new 'Steaming Dates', offering the chance to see emblems of Lancashire's industrial past in action.

The mill is open from 11am to 4pm, with guided tours available at 1pm and 2pm (as well at other times on arrangement), and is open for free on Saturdays for static viewings from 11am to 3pm.

Jonathan Bettess, the trusts' Chairman, said: "We run our preserved mill engine under steam for runs of about thirty minutes and then we have to pause to allow steam pressure to return.

"We have been restoring a second full-size engine which is now almost ready to run," he added. "We run weaving demonstrations on a Lancashire loom which is now powered by electricity so we can run it between engine runs."

Open for free for the entire weekend on Heritage Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of September, the attraction is located on Gillians Lane in Barnoldswick, postcode BB18 5QR.

"We often have other attractions on steaming dates such as singing groups, classic car clubs, model engine demonstrations etc, details of which are posted in advance on our website."

Complete with a canteen, free parking, disabled access to the majority of the museum, and plenty of knowledgeable volunteers around to chat to visitors and explain how the machinery works and about the history of Bancroft Mill, the attraction is not to be missed.

"There is a small gift shop where we sell, amongst other things, tea towels woven on-site that have 'Bancroft Mill Engine' woven through them," said Jonathan.

With a range of Sunday events coming up through to November (dates below), adult admission is just £6, children can get in for £5, and family tickets (incorporating two adults and up to four children) can be purchased for £15.